Carleton Watkins is one of the most important practitioners in the history of photography, yet with relatively little public acclaim.
Perhaps best known for his sequence of images of Yosemite – which would lead to the foundation of the first national park in the U.S. – Watkins inspired later photographers such as Ansel Adams, in his pursuit of making thought-provoking, dramatic, and awe-inspiring images of the natural environment.
In the avant-garde of 19th century landscape photographers, Watkins’ aesthetic, coupled with his remarkable skills as an innovator, changed the course of photographic history. His story of early success is tinged by the way in which so much of his original work and archive were ultimately lost and his contribution overlooked. The Society is fortunate to have a sequence of Watkins’ original ‘mammoth plate’ prints which tell the story of this remarkable photographer and his passion for landscape photography.
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